To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.
Minutes:
Mrs Morris. (Town Clerk, Cullompton Town Council) referring to item 4 on the agenda (Play Areas) requested that the Cabinet defer its decision regarding the 2 play areas in Cullompton under managed decline so that the Town Council had time to consider the issue properly. The Town Council had offered S106 monies to update the equipment and would like an extension of time.
Mrs Holloway again referring to item 4 on the agenda stated that we all know that it is sensible to close some of the play areas. Tufty Park and Headweir Road parks are so popular, the consultation responses showed an interest in both of these parks with 92 and 106 responses on each. You have showed the cost of decommissioning at annex 2 of the report and a column showing decommissioning costs coming from reserves and a column showing potential savings, is that figure the actual amount of maintaining the play area or just decommissioning costs? There are no costs for the maintenance of each play area. Can we have costs for each play area, without these figures how can decisions be made. I understand that every penny counts, but the evidence is overwhelming. There are petitions with 270 signatures on each, what weight have you given to the public response, the play areas are used so well and would it make more sense to keep them open especially if you will get contributions from S106 money and Town Council funds. These are valued amenities.
Sarah Bailey again referring to item 4 on the agenda stated that the petitions had 531 signatures on them and she echoed Mrs Holloway's view.
David Magretts referring to Item 8 on the agenda (Grants) stated that the Community Well-Being PDG had recommended to reduce the grant to the CAB. There was increased demand for the service across Mid Devon, this was discussed in a meeting with the Leader and the CAB's new Chief Executive, we are wondering why our grant is being cut. We note the closure of the Crediton Housing Team, we are more than happy to be able to fill that gap, but it will be more difficult if funding is cut.
Mr Vanderwolfe (Clerk to Tiverton Town Council) referring to item 4 on the agenda (Play Areas) asked whether the Cabinet would consider the following play areas to be retained with contributions from the Town Council:
· Trickey Close to be retained - this area is well used and people would come forward to assist with the work.
· Hawthorn Road to be retained
· Priory Road is not really worth retaining
· Colesmead requires more time for consideration.
Mr Lucas referring to Item 8 on the agenda (Grants) stated that the Community Well-Being PDG had always devolved grants across the district and it may now go on other areas. The Grand Western Canal involved people from across Mid Devon and the county as a whole. 2 years ago there was a planning application for a cattle shed in Sampford Peverell, the owner of the Minnows Caravan Site undertook a survey of the guests to the park, regarding where they spend their time, the majority of them spent time in Devon. Please bear this is mind for all the people in Devon and its visitors, it really is a jewel in the crown.
Mr Hutcheon referring to Item 20 (Corporate Plan) stated that there were 4 key areas in the plan, will you deliver your aspirations to increase the economy and how will you deliver on the growth of the economy?
What are you going to do to encourage people to come to Mid Devon? I will have to move out of Devon to find a job.
Does the Cabinet agree that the Eden Project proposition will assist the Council in delivering its Corporate Plan objectives?
With regard to my petition, I have not heard anything since I presented it to Council, what have you done in terms of actions.
Mrs Dennis referring to Mr Hutcheon's remark stated that she left Devon and went to London to get a job, that's what people do, you go to where the jobs are, you don't need to ruin greenfield sites.
Cllr John Jordan (Tiverton Town Council) referring to Item 4 (play areas) stated that he had surveyed 3 play areas in the Lowman Ward, the parks are being used. Priory Road is being used as a football pitch and he saw no problem with that. With regard to Hawthorn Road, local people are using this area, there are 10 children there every day. Trickery Close is a very nice park, residents would help with its upkeep.
The Cabinet Member for the Environment read a letter received from Reverend Janet Sutton-Webb who had been unable to attend the meeting requesting the Cabinet to reconsider the managed decline of Tufty Park and Headweir Road park, she felt that they were two well equipped parks; she highlighted the petitions that had been established and the play protest that had taken place at Tufty park earlier in the week.
Cllr Mrs N Woollatt presented the Chairman with a petition with 272 signatures on behalf of the petitioner Mr Tom Gozna, requesting that Tufty Park and Headweir Road be kept open.
The Chairman stated that answers to questions raised would be answered when the items were discussed.